1998-08-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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261 for economic development (technology firms great direction for future, work force issues). Ms. Daugherty said she heard the need for strong neighborhoods and that there are problems in certain neighborhoods. Mr. Toscano said he heard about the importance of using data to support policies. Mr. Caravati said he heard that neighborhoods and transportation are predominant issues. Mr. Cox said he heard a focus on neighborhoods perceived by man), to be stable, but which need assistance to shore them up and that there are a lot of ideas coming down the pike and an instrument is needed to study them. Mr. Cox said that while City/County relations were a focus for the last two years, that will not be where he will focus his priorities for the upcoming years. Mr. Cox said he would like to make Charlottesville the most predominantly pedestrian city and create a compelling physical environment. In addition, he would focus on Charlottesville being academic leaders of public education in Virginia and closing the achievement gap; new job creation (partner with the UniversitY and spin-off industries they generate and address the living wage issue currently a concern with many University employees); and neighborhoods and housing policies (integrate all e~onomic level into it and improve the status of low income residents). Ms. Daugherty said she heard an emphasis on pedestrian friendly and different approaches. Mr. Caravati said he heard a willingness to take a risk and to accentuate the City's urban nature. Mr. Toscano said he heard the "physical environment that we create" is a quality of life issue. Ms. Richards said she heard about improving the lives of people, closing the achievement gap, and better jobs and education. Ms. Daugherty said that her priorities include: race relations (need for a project to help build relations in the City, such as Jefferson School proposal); economic development (the results of welfare reform efforts are unknown at this time, continued need to provide services, especially day care); tourism; schools (give support and additional public relations efforts); housing (get Housing Strategy together and stabilize Housing Authority); improve relations with Albemarle County (fire services, Design Resource Center, school cooperation); Council relations (make Council an effective working group). Mr. Toscano said he heard the need for consensus. Mr. Cox said he saw her priorities as bringing people together. Ms. Richards said she heard continued need for services to implement welfare reform such as day care. Mr. Caravati said he heard a concern about the responsibilities of welfare reform and schools and economic development. Ms. Wann said that Council's task will be to take what has been said, either common issues or individual issues, and move to the planning stage. Ms. Wann asked Councilors to identified anything that has struck them about the discussion. Ms. Richards said she sees continuity in her third Council retreat and less desire to focus on City/County relations, outside of schools and planning issues.